Impact Grants Awarded in 2019

The Warren County Foundation awarded three $10,000 Impact Grants in 2019. Two of the three grants were funded by gifts from Board of Trustee members and other donors. One came from the George and Mary Alice Leasure Fund. The three Impact Grants were awarded to Beech Acres Parenting Center, Camp Joy, and Otterbein SeniorLife. During the first three years of the program 13 Impact Grants have been awarded.

The first Impact Grant was awarded to Beech Acres Parenting Center for their Beyond the Classroom program in the Kings Local School District. The grant allows the expansion of the program from 16 students with behavioral health issues to serving more than 680 families with full, wrap-around services. Beech Acres is placing a three-person team embedded within three elementary schools in the district who will ensure all Beech Acres service providers and school staff understand the needs of each student and family.

Camp Joy received an Impact Grant for their Let’s Talk Trash program. Camp Joy aims to be a leader in natural resource conversation and a hub for sustainability education. Camp Joy’s program will teach 1,500 youth annually about recycling, composting, and environmental stewardship through partnerships with schools and agencies in Warren County. Camp Joy hopes to educate the next generation of waste reduction ambassadors.

The George and Mary Alice Leasure Fund provided the Impact Grant to Otterbein SeniorLife. The Impact Grant is being used to support the Marble Hall Renovation Campaign. Historic Marble Hall, Otterbein Lebanon’s oldest building, is in need renovation. The early 1800’s Victorian building is at the epicenter of the Otterbein campus, and links its Shaker lineage to the future Union Village, while providing low income housing to 12 residents. It also hosts the Otterbein museum that highlights Otterbein history and rare Shaker artifacts.

The Impact Grant program continues as part of the Foundation’s strategic plan. The program continues in 2020 with applications available in August.

Discretionary Grants

The Warren County Foundation currently tends to make Discretionary Grants in amounts ranging from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars. Proposals are reviewed every two months by the Grants Committee. Because Discretionary Grant funds are limited each year, the Grants Committee reviews each proposal carefully and considers the criteria below.

Subject to available funds, the Warren County Foundation is more likely to award Discretionary Grants to organizations that demonstrate that their proposed projects:

Make a clear difference in the quality of life of a substantial number of Warren County citizens.

Demonstrate tangible solutions to community problems.

Help non-profit organizations manage themselves and their finances more effectively.

Impact Grants

Subject to the availability of funds, the Warren County Foundation shall also make one or more Impact Grants usually in December of each year, of not less than $10,000 each.

In addition to the criteria for Discretionary Grants, Impact Grant recipients will be selected based upon a consideration of which submittals most effectively promote the following: lasting improvement in the health, safety and welfare within Warren County; elimination or mitigation of barriers to the full enjoyment of social, cultural, economic and educational resources within the community. The grant must have a meaningful impact on the organization or program.

Priority in the selection of Impact Grant recipients will be given to submittals benefiting and promoting the well-being of families and children, or economic development in the County. Collaborations of various organizations and agencies will receive preference in the review process.

If, having reviewed the guidelines, you have a question about whether a project may or may not qualify for funding, please call the Warren County Foundation at (513) 934-1001, and we will be happy to discuss it with you.

If you would like to apply for a grant through the Warren County Foundation you may print out, complete and mail the following application to: